Communication and signaling system



Dec; 23, 1941.

H. H. STOCKFELD COMMUNICATION. AND. SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Aug. ,821938 s sheets-shea;

qO/VTACTOR Dec. 23, 1941. H. HQSTOCKFELD 2,266,826

COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING SYSTEM Find Aug. 8, 193s :s sheets-sheet 2 Patented Dec. 23, 1941 2,266,826 coMMUNIcA'rloN AND sIGNamNc srs'rmu nan-y n. stoekfela, washington. o. Application August 8, 1938, Serial No. 223,761

claims.' v(ci. 177-353) This invention' relates to control means for signaling devices employed in conjunction with communication systems. More particularly, the invention relates to improved control circuits for audible and visual indicating devices which are operated' in combination with communication systems of the type in which transmitted electrical impulses serve selectively to actuate type bars of printing machines.

One of the inadequacies in modern business practices is the lack of timely knowledge resulting from inadequate modes of communication between producers of goods and consumers or their agents. In order to' vfoster economic distributionv of goods and produce it is necesi5 sary that substantially all of the potential purchasers not only be in continual communication with each other but also at the same time be `in communication with the producers. heretofore been known which were designed to facilitate the continual exchange of information between each of the various trading centers of this country and the producers of goods and produce have been highly complicated, expensive, 3l

subject to errors of the human element and dimcult to maintain on a timely basis. In part this has been caused by the large number of trading or auction centers which must be served by the system and the additional fact that producers,

especially of farm produce, are frequently located in remote sections of the country. With the foregoing in mind it is an object of this invention to provide an improved communication and signaling system suitable for transmitting and receiving information in a timely and accurate manner between many widely separated stations such as would be necessary to enable sales to be negotiated by auctions or similar The communications systems which have 20 particular station may govern his use of the communication system.

Another object oi' this invention is to provide an improved control circuit for signaling devices which is actuated by either a transmitting device or a receiving device or both located in a communication system of the teletypewriter type.

A still further object of thisinvention is to provide an improved control circuit for audible and visible signaling devices wherein the devices operate in response to a sequence of relay operations initiated by an instrument of a teletypewriter -communication system.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved communication system of the teletypewriter type embodying signaling means at each of a plurality of stations operating inresponse to a sequence of relay actuations which is simple in design and which serves as a means for timely and accurately exchanging infomation between a large number of users of the communication system.

Other objects, features and advantages will become appa-rent as the following detailed description of the improved communication and signal- L ing system is explained, reference being made to the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram in block form disclosing a plurality of stations of the improved communication and signaling system;

Fig. 2 is an across the line wiring diagram of a preferred form of the improved control circuit for the signaling system; i

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a manuallyactuated a5 electrical impulse controlling device in the form of a key lever provided with a contacter device; Fig. v4 is a detailed showing of the contactor device appearing in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a contacter device modes of business wherein the traders are located adapted to be actuated by a member moving in at remote points from each other. A

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved communication system of the type in which electrical impulses are set up which serve to actuate in a selective manner particular type bars of a plurality of printing machines located in the system and the operation of said system serves to control signaling circuits embodying Signaling devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved communication system having a y plurality of stations at each oi which a sequence of signal actuation is attained by operation of the communication system mechanism located at that station whereby the user system at a' nected together for simultaneous reception of messages from one o! the stations in the group during operation of its transmitting'unit. As shown by the iigure. each of the stations has associated therewith a signal station, the operation oi which is controlled by movement of an element of the transmitting or receiving device during its normal operation, as will be explained in later passages. invention, the number of stations in the communication system is immaterial although it is necessary that all of the stations be equipped for reception of impulses impressed upon the main teletypewriter circuit which connects the stations together as well as for transmission to the receiving or printing units located in the remaining teletypewriter stations connected to the chain. Inasmuch as the teletypewriter devices and circuits per se are known in the art,.a detailed de, scription is unnecessary although the elements associated with the system which coact with the signal system to form the improved combination will hereinafter be explained in detail.

The control circuit for the signaling system which is employed at each of the signal stations associated with each of the teletypewriter stations disclosed in Fig.- l is shown in detail in Fig.

2. Inthis iigure, conductors L1 and Lz represent From the standpoint of this a local source of electrical energy at the signal been designated I9, 2| and 23 are positioned to be bridged during'operation of the relay. Reference numeral 24 represents a time delay relay of a type which may be accurately adjusted to operate after a delayed period of relative short duration. The operating coil 50' of the time delay relay 24 is energized from conductors Li-Lc upon the closure of contactor 54 or upon closure of sustaining contactor I3 or upon bridging of contacts I9 by member I8. Energization of the operating coil 50 of time delay relay 24 serves instantly to close the contacts of the relay. Upon deenergization of the operating coil of the Atime delay relay, a predetermined time elapses before the armature is released to open the circuit between Li and contacts 2|. Means (not shown) are provided for adjusting the relay to vary the elapse of time between the deenergization of the operating coil and the opening of the relays.

The signal devices are represented by reference numerals 32 and 33. 'I'he former represents a lamp suitable for indicating a visual' signal to a large group of people. Numeral 33 represents an audible signaling device such as a bell and preferably the bell employed in the circuit is of the single stroke type, i. e., actuation of the bell will result in a single stroke of the clapper against the gong.

Master contactor I0 together with contactor 53 contacts I9 serves to interrupt the energizing '45. Contacts 46 which are closed by bridging member 4| of relay 24 are located in series with vcontacts 2| in conductor 4| which connects with line 40 at point 48 at one end of the conductor and with side L1 of the energizing circuit.` In this manner a parallel circuit is established between Li and point 48 in one side of which contacts II and I2 are located and in the other side of which contacts 2| and 46 are located. Signaling devices 32 and 33 are located in a branch circuit one side of which connects with L2 and the other side connects through contacts 23 and conductor 49 with L1 of the energizing circuit. It is manifest that the signaling devices might be connected in series depending upon the character of the devices or an additional number or diierent types of devices could be employed without-departing from the spirit of the invention.

'I'he operation of the control circuit for the signaling devices. is as follows: During a deenergized condition of the operating coil Il of multiple contactor relay I6, contacts I9 of the relay I6 are closed by member I8, and contacts 2 I and 23 are open as shown in Fig. 2. Contacts 46 of the time delay relay 24 are normally open when circuit Li-L2 is de-energized. Upon energizing circuitLi-Lz from a source of potential at the local signaling station the operating coil 50 of time delay relay 24 is energized causing the relay to pick up and instantaneously close contacts 46 by bridging member 41. 'Ihe circuit by which the coil is energized extends from line L1, conductor 42, contactsIS to point 44, coil 50 and Iconductor to la. After energization of circuit L1-L2 the control circuit is in condition for operation in conjunction with teletypewriter station with which it is associated.

Master contact I0 is adapted for themomentary closing of contacts II and I2 and when this is done coil I`| of the multiple contactor relay I6 is energized which results in opening contacts I9 and closing contacts 2| and 23. Opening of potential for coil of the time delay relay 24.

s It is apparent that any of the various types of instantaneous closing, time delay opening relays which may be accurately adjusted for relatively short periods of time may be employed and are contemplated in Athis invention, such, for example, as relays which employ thermionic tubes and operate on the condenser discharge principle.

The closing of contacts 2| serves to close a cir- A cuit from L1, conductor 52, contacts 46, contacts 2|, conductor 4|, through coil Il of multiple contactor I6 toIn which locks the multiple contact relay in its' operated position. When relay I6 is in its operated position contacts 23 are closed which completes a circuitfrom L1 through conductor 49, contacts 23, signaling devices 32 and 33 to In. Thus upon the omentary closure of contactor I Il or its associa d contactork 53, the multiple contactor relay I6 is operated to energize an interlocking circuit which continues the energization of coil I1 as long as contacts 46 are closed and also to energize the circuit in which the visual and audible signaling devices are located. As long as relay I6 remains energized.

light 32 will be lighted and upon initial energization the bell which has beendescribed as a single stroke type will be sounded. It is contemplated tht other .types of signaling devices such as annunciators and the like may be employed in circuit L1', conductor 49, contacts 23 and L2 without departing from the scope of this invention.

Upon energizing coil Il and operation of multito be moved which will result in opening of contacts 46. This will interrupt the interlocking circuit of coil I1 comprising L1, conductor 52, contacts 156, contacts 2|, conductor 4I, operating coil I1, to La and thus de-energize relay I6 to cause interruption of energy to the signaling devices 32 and 33. The momentary closure of sustaining contactor I3 or its associated contactor 54 prior to the de-energizing of multiple contactor relay I6 serves tore-energize coil 60 of time delay 24 through circuit L1, conductor 43, contacts I4, I5, point 44, coil 50 of relay 24, conductor 45 to line In. Energizing of the operating coil 50 in this manner will recondition relay 24 and reset the time delay period. In this manner the operation of the signaling devices may be sustained for an indeflnite period by repeatedly closing sustaining contactor I3 or contactor 54 within any of the time delay periods provided contactor I3 or contactor 54 is motactorsv 53 and 54, This -result is achieved by placing the contactors relative to particular moving elements of the teletypewriter units so that mechanical motion will be"transmitted from the moving element to the movable element of the contactors whereby the contacts will be momentariLv closed inaccordance with the operation of the communication system. As illustrative of the interconnection between the ASignal system and a transmitter of a teletypewriter unit employed in each of the stations, reference is made to Figs. 3 and 4 which disclose a teletypewriter key lever 60 of the type conventionally employedin teletypewriter units for manual actuation of the transmitting unit. Key lever 60 is plvoted on a bar 6I which is supported in a Y known manner and is spring biased to its raised position by means of spring 62. A surfpace 63 is provided on the opposite end of the lever from the point at which it is pivoted which serves as an Aengaging means for the iingers of the operator. Inasmuch as the structure of the key lever is preferablyinsulated from the key lever by the use of an insulating-colar 14. The shank portion of the yoke and connecting link 65 is adapted to move a conducting member 61,-

through a lostmotion connection which comprises spring 68 and washers 69 anda friction engagement between member 61 and link 65. Contacts 10 are located on the lower side of conducting member 61 which are adapted to coact with contacts 1I located on an insulating base 12. Depression of the key lever 60 serves to force contacts 10 and-1I into engagement whereby an electrical circuit is closed between conductors 13. Guide members 1 5 formed of insulating material are provided for conducting member 61 in order to insure accurate engagement of contacts 10 and 1I. By virtue of the spring 68,

the yoke and connecting link 65 is allowed additional downward motion over that necessary to close the contacts. Thus contacts 10 and 1I are maintained in contacting relation by virtue of-the pressure exerted by spring 68 when key lever 68 is depressed through a portion of its stroke. It will be evident that the operation of a key controlling a particular character or symbol on the teletypewriter transmitting unit will serve not only to send an impulse over the communication system which will energize a corresponding character on the printing units of the various teletypewriter receivers in the system, but will also serve to initiate the control circuit for the signaling devices in the local signal station which is associated with the particular `transmitting unit. Fig. 5 discloses a contactor which is adapted to be controlled by a -moving element 'of a teletypewriter receiving or printing unit. The contactor comprises contacts 80 which are mounted on conducting spring members 6I The conductingA spring members are secured on an insulating base 82 and are equipped with binding posts 83 to which the conductor leads' are is well known a further description is unnecessary. In addition to the control of a particularv character such as a letter or a symbol in the teletypewriter communication system, the key also serves to actuate contactor 64 which is schematically shown in Fig. 2 as the master 'contactor III or sustaining contactor I3 depending upon the particular key lever by 4which it is actuated. Any type of contactor may be employed which is adapted to be momentarily closed by the depression of the key. lever 6I during the normal operation of the teletypewriter transmitting unit. By way of illustration, reference is made to the details of a contactor in Fig. 4 which may be employed for this Purpose. The

Aparticular contactor disclosed in Fig. 4 embodies a yoke and connecting link which is .pivotally secured to the key lever 6l by use o! a screw and bolt-66.- The yoke and connecting link 65 attached. An insulating strip 84 is positioned beneath the lower conducting spring member 8| in order that the control circuit for the signaling devices in which the contactor is employed will be insulated from the moving member of the teletypewriter printing unit. A pull bar which serves to actuate a type bar of any given character in the teletypewriter printing unit is shown in Fig. 5 as the means for actuating the contacts 80. The pull barl is of the type conventionally used in teletypewriter printing units and neither it nor its actuating mechanism form a part of this invention. It is contemplated that other moving elements, such as the type bar, of a particular character may be adapted to control a contactor without departing from the spirit of this invention. --The contactor disclosed in Fig. 5 is schematically shown in Fig. 2 as the contactors 53 and 54 which are located in circuits which bridge across master contactor III and sustaining contactor I3. It is apparent that when an electrical impulse is received by the teletypewriter printing unit which causes the pull bar of a particular character or symbol to be raised, the

Reference is made to Figure 6 for a more complete description of the communication and signaling system. Reference 'numerals 98, 9| and 92 schematically represent teletypewriter stations each of which comprise transmitting contacts 93 and receiver magnets 94. Station circuits 95 are interconnected "by a network represented by reference numeral 96. Each of the teletypewriter stations 96. 9| and 92 have associated therewith a signal. station represented by referlencenumerals 91, 98 and-.99, respectively. Contactor I vof Figure 2 which is shown in detail in Figures-3 and 4 is actuated in each of the teletypewriter stations by depressing a character key. For .purposes of explanation the key may be considered as the X character key.` Sustaining contactor I3 of Figure 2 which is similar in detail with contactor I0 is provided to be actuated by another'character-key, which forpurposes of explanation may be considered as the Y character key. Contactor I0 and sustaining contactor I3 of each of th`e associated signal stations are actuated by the X and Y characterkeys in each of the teletypewriter stations. Contactor 53 of Figure 2- which is shown in detail'in Figure 5 is actuated in each of the stations by a pull bar of the receiving unit. While the contactor may available at all of the stations in the communication system. At a designated time an operator at one of the teletypewriter stations which, for example, may be assumed to be station No. 1 will strike a particular key such, for example, as thekey corresponding to character X on the transmitting. unit in that station. This will cause master contactor I0 in station No. 1 to be closed thus actuating the signal circuit inA this station.

be actuated by any of the pull bars, .for purposes of explanation, it will be considered that. cont'actor 53 is actuated by the pull bar corresponding to the character X. Contactor 54 of Figure 2 is similar in detail to that of 53 and Vit is actuated by a pull bar different from that which actuates contactor 53. For `purpose of explana- 25. tion it maybe considered that contactor 54 in each of lthe stations is actuated by the pull bar' corresponding to character Y. Contactor 53 and contactor '54 of each ofthe associated signal systems are actuated by the pull bar's corresponding to characters X- and Y, respectively, in each of 'the teletypewriter stations in thesystem.

From the description of the'control circuit and arrangement of contactor partsit becomes apparent that operation of a designated key lever on a transmitting unit will serve to close master contactor I0, shown in Fig. 2, which in turn will initiate the operation of the control circuit and' In addition, y

their signalcircuits. From the description thus far given it will be apparent that depression of a 4key lever corresponding toa particular character such, for example, as the character X, will result in the simultaneous initiation of the .control -circuits for the signaling devices in both thetransmitting station and each of the receivingv stations. Likewise depression in either thev same or a diierent station cfa diierent key lever corresponding to a different character or symbol,

f such for example, as the characterAY will result in simultaneously conditioning the control' circuitsof the signal devices in both the? sendirg station and each of the receiving stations o sustain the signaling devices in operation.`

In order to obtain a complete understanding of the operation of the communication system and the signal circuit operating in conjunction with each station of the systemgthe operation will be explained inconnection with the simultaneous auctioning of goods or produce in a plurality of trading centers. Prior to the simultaneous opening of thebidding in the Various trading centers a description of the goods together with .designating nomenclature is transmitted over the communication system from eachA of the various stations whereat the goods are oiered for sale, so that information concerning the goods is teletypewriter system and contactor 53 in each of the signal circuits of stations No. 2 and 3 will be closed by movement of the respective pull bars in the receiving units. In this manner the signaling circuits of stations No. 2 and Iiv will be s.' ultaneously initiated with the signal circuit of tation No. 1 to-'close the circuits of the signaling devices in each of stations No. 1, 2 and 3. As long as contacts 46 are closed the signaling devices Will remain energized in each of the stations although after energization oi multiple contactor relay I6 in each of the stations, coil 50 of the time delay 24 is deenergized thus starting the period at the end of which contacts 46 are opened. i

While the local signaling circuits of each of the stations are in this condition, buyers at the various stations may transmit theii` -bids over the teletypewriter system in sequence as the transmission channels become open due to the cessation of transmission of a previous bid. Transmission of the bids will be made prior Ito the opening of contacts 46 and to insure that the contacts will remain closed during the bidding period, a key such, for example as the Y character key will be pressed by the operator of the transmitting teletypewriter unit at the termination of the transmission of each bid. Pressing of the key corresponding to the character Y will serve to close contactor 64 associated with the key which correspondsto sustaining contactor I3 in Fig. 2 as explained above. Assuming that a bid is transmitted from station No. 3 after which the operator strikes character key Y, the key movement will serve to close sustaining contactor I3 in station No.3 which will cause the time delay relay 24V to be conditioned for another period of time before opening of contacts 46 in station No. 3. The striking of the Y character key in station No. 3 will result in transmission of impulses over the teletypewriter systeni and the type bars corresponding to character Y in each of the printers at stations No. 1 and 2 will be actuated. Resulting movement of the pull lhars of the printers will serve to close contactors 54 'in each of stations No. 1 and 2 which in turn will sideration is known to have beeterminated and all of`the parties are informed that the lot has been sold to the last bidder whose quotation has been-transmitted over the teletypewriter system.

While the invention has been described in' connection withcertain specific embodiments to- 'described for facilitating the sale of commodities bycompetitive bidding at a plurality of remotely located stations, the combination of acommunication network connecting said stations, a transmitter and receiver 'at each station connected to the network, each transmitter having means for transmitting over the network impulse combinationsl representing bids and each receiver having means for visually indicating the bids corresponding to the impulse combinations, a signal device at each station for indicating by its operation that bids may be transmitted from the stations, means included in at least one of the transmitters for transmitting a selected impulse combination over the network indicative of the beginning of a bidding period, means at each station operated by either the transmitter or receiver thereat in response to the operation of the said transmitter when transmitting vthe selected impulse combination for operating the signal thereat and means depending upon the transmitting over the network within predetermined intervals of another selected impulse combination by any one of the transmitters and the reception thereof at the other stations for sustaining the joperation of the signal devices, whereby said signal devices will be maintained in operation if a succession of' bids. follow each other within predetermined intervals.

2. In a sellingcontrol system of the characterI described for facilitating the sale of commodities by competitive bidding at a Aplurality of remotely located stations, the combination of acommunication system comprising -a plurality of stations, a transmitter and receiver located at each station, each transmitter having means for transmitting over `the system impulse combinations representing bids and each receiver having tions comprising means for transmitting a selected impulse combination over the system indicative of the beginning of a biddingperiod, means located at each of the stations which receive said selected impulse combination operated thereat in response to the operation of the said transmitter when transmitting the selected impulse combination for operating the signal device and means depending upon the transmission over the system within predetermined intervals of another selected impulse combination by any one of -the transmitters and the reception thereof at the other stations for sustaining the operation of the signal devices, whereby said signal devices at the stations will be maintained in operation if a succession of bids follow each other within predetermined intervals.

3. In a selling control system of the character described for facilitating the sale of commodities by competitive bidding at a plurality of remotely located stations, the combination of a`com.V

eachh station;'each'transmitter having means for transmitting over the system impulse combinations representing bids and each receiver having means for visually indicating the bids corresponding to the impulse combinations, a signal device at each station for indicating by its operation that bids may be transmitted from the stations, the transmitter in at least one of said stations comprising means for transmitting a sez lected impulse combination over the system indicative of the beginning of a. bidding period,

means at each'station receiving said selected impulse combination operated by the receiver thereat in response to the operation of the said transmitter when transmitting the selected impulse combination for starting the operationv of the signal device, signal operation terminating means at each station serving to'stop the operation of the signal device after a predetermined period of time, the operation of said signal operation terminating means beingnitiated upon the operation of the signal device and meansdepending upon the transmission o'ver the system of another selected impulse combination by any one of the transmitters and the reception thereof at the other stations during the period the signal device is in operation for re-initiatingthe signal operation terminating means for another predetermined period of time whereby said signal devices at the stations will be maintained in operation if a succession oi selected. impulse combinations .follow each other within predetermined intervals.

4. In a selling control system of the character described for facilitating the sale of commodities by competitive bidding at a plurality of remotely located stations, the combination of a communication system comprising aplurality of stations, a transmitter and receiver located at each station, each transmitter having means lfor transmitting over.the system impulse combinantions representing bids and each receiver'havlng means for visually indicatingthe bids corresponding to the impulse combinations, asignal device at each station for indicating by its operation that bids may be transmitted from the stations, time delay means for stopping the operaby the selected impulse combination received tion of said signal device a predetermined time after said means have been initiated, the transmitter in at least one of. said stations comprising means for transmitting aseIected impulse combination over .the system' indicative of the beginning of a bidding period, means at each station operated by the selected impulse combination indicative of thel beginning of the bidding period received at each of the' stations in response to the operation of said transmitter for operating the signal device'and initiating operation of said time delay signal stopping means to terminate the operation of thegsignal device after a predetermined -time interval and means depending upon the transmission over the system during the operation of the signal device of another selected impulse combination by any one of the transmitters and the reception thereof at the other stations for reinitiating operation of the time delay signal stopping means in each of the stations, whereby said signal devices at the' stations, a transmitter and receiver located at located stations. the combination of a communication system comprising a plurality of stations.

a transmitter and receiver located at each station, each transmitter having means for transthe receiver of a pre-selected impulse combination for energizing said signal circuit to indicate the beginning of the bidding period, means for 'de-energizing said signal circuit after a predetermined elapse of time to indicate the termination of the bidding period, the operation of said de-energizing means being initiated' upon the energization of said signal circuit and means eiectiveonly during the period of time the signal device is energized operated by a diierent movable element for re-initiating the ,operation of said de-energizing means whereby the signal circuit will remain energized for another predetermined period of time.

HARRY H. STOCKFELD. 

